If your Shopify store feels slow, it’s costing you money — even if you don’t see obvious errors.
Speed isn’t just a technical metric. It directly affects trust, conversions, SEO, and ad performance. I’ve seen stores increase conversion rates simply by shaving a second off load time, without touching products or pricing.
This Shopify speed optimization checklist focuses on changes that realistically improve performance — not theoretical tweaks that look good in audits but don’t move the needle.
First: What “Fast” Actually Means for a Shopify Store
Before optimizing, let’s be clear.
A fast Shopify store:
- Feels responsive on mobile
- Loads the main content quickly
- Doesn’t jump or shift as elements load
- Responds instantly to taps and clicks
You don’t need a perfect PageSpeed score. You need a store that feels smooth.
Step 1: Start With Image Optimization (Biggest Impact)
Images are the #1 reason Shopify stores are slow.
Checklist
- Compress all images before uploading
- Avoid uploading massive images and resizing later
- Use JPEG for photos, PNG only when transparency is needed
- Keep hero images under ~300 KB when possible
Apps like TinyIMG can automate compression, but manual discipline matters just as much.
Rule of thumb:
If an image looks sharp at half the file size, the larger version is unnecessary.
Step 2: Audit Installed Apps (Silent Speed Killers)
Most Shopify stores are bloated with apps they no longer use.
What to Check
- Apps installed “just to test”
- Apps that inject scripts on every page
- Overlapping functionality (two apps doing similar things)
Action Steps
- Remove unused apps completely
- Replace heavy apps with lighter alternatives
- Prefer apps that load conditionally, not globally
Apps don’t just slow pages — they create conflicts and layout shifts.
Step 3: Choose a Performance-Friendly Theme
Your theme sets the baseline for speed.
Some themes look great but load too much:
- Large JavaScript files
- Heavy animations
- Excessive fonts
Speed-Friendly Theme Traits
- Mobile-first layout
- Minimal animations
- Clean code structure
- Built for real content, not demos
Premium themes like Impulse tend to manage this balance better than many free themes once real content and apps are added.
Step 4: Reduce Custom Fonts & Icons
Fonts are often overlooked.
Each font weight and style adds load time.
Checklist
- Use 1–2 font families max
- Limit font weights (regular + bold is usually enough)
- Avoid loading fonts you don’t use
System fonts are fastest, but if branding matters, just be intentional.
Step 5: Optimize the Homepage (Most Traffic Hits Here)
Your homepage usually carries the heaviest load.
Common Homepage Speed Issues
- Auto-playing videos
- Sliders with multiple large images
- Too many sections stacked vertically
Fixes
- Replace videos with static images where possible
- Reduce the number of sections
- Load content progressively
If your homepage is slow, everything else feels slow too.
Step 6: Clean Up Product Pages
Product pages should be conversion-focused, not overloaded.
Checklist
- Avoid loading every app widget at once
- Collapse long content sections
- Limit third-party scripts near the top
Sticky add-to-cart features are fine — just ensure they’re optimized and not duplicated.
Step 7: Avoid Heavy Pop-Ups & Overlays
Pop-ups can hurt speed and UX.
Problems With Aggressive Pop-Ups
- Block page rendering
- Delay interaction
- Frustrate mobile users
Better Approach
- Delay pop-ups until after page load
- Trigger based on scroll or intent
- Use lightweight designs
If a pop-up slows the page, it’s doing more harm than good.
Step 8: Enable Shopify’s Built-In Performance Features
Shopify already handles a lot of optimization for you — but only if you don’t break it.
Make Sure You’re Using
- Shopify-hosted images (not external CDNs unless necessary)
- Default Shopify checkout
- Native sections where possible
Avoid unnecessary custom scripts unless you understand their impact.
Step 9: Test Speed the Right Way
Don’t rely on one tool.
Use a Combination of:
- Google PageSpeed Insights
- Shopify speed report
- Real-device testing (your phone)
Pay attention to:
- Time to first interaction
- Layout shifts
- Mobile load time
If it feels slow to you, it’s slow to customers.
Step 10: Monitor After Every Change
Speed optimization isn’t one-and-done.
Any time you:
- Install a new app
- Add a new section
- Change your theme
You should recheck performance.
Small changes compound — for better or worse.
Common Shopify Speed Optimization Mistakes
Mistake #1: Chasing a Perfect Score
Scores don’t buy products. Experiences do.
Mistake #2: Installing “Speed Booster” Apps Blindly
Some make things worse.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Mobile Performance
Desktop speed means very little for ecommerce.
Quick Shopify Speed Optimization Checklist (Summary)
- Compress all images
- Remove unused apps
- Use a performance-friendly theme
- Limit fonts and animations
- Optimize homepage and product pages
- Avoid heavy pop-ups
- Test speed regularly
Bookmark this list. Revisit it often.
Final Thoughts: Speed Is Trust
A fast Shopify store doesn’t just convert better.
It feels more legitimate.
It reduces friction.
It makes buying easier.
Speed optimization isn’t about perfection — it’s about respect for the customer’s time.
Get the fundamentals right, and everything else performs better.